by S. E. Smith
“I wasn’t banging any girl upstairs. I just got back from town with Clive.” Allen replied, a confused expression crossing his face. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I heard you two doing it earlier and she was coming out of your bedroom upstairs just a few minutes ago. She sounded like she was having a whole hell of a lot of fun. She even commented on you being one very bad boy.” Caleb almost growled at his brother. Just remembering her sexy laughter was enough to make him hard.
“What did she look like?” Allen asked with a sinking feeling. He had left Brad and Harold here alone with Lily. Surely they wouldn’t have been brazen enough to use his old bedroom to…he had a hard time even thinking it…aw hell no, he thought with growing rage.
“She was the prettiest damn thing I ever saw. Eyes the color of a summer sky, long dark brown hair you could wrap your fists around, and breast the size of…” Caleb paused when he looked at the expression on his brother’s face. He had never seen him this pissed off, even when he was drunk.
Allen could feel his face freezing as Caleb described Lily. He was going to kill Harold and Brad. He had told those sons of bitches to stay away from Lily. She was his. Lock, stock and barrel. Hell, he hadn’t even kissed her yet. All he had done was fantasize about it night after night and half the damn day. Shit, just the thought of them banging her was enough to make him crazy.
“Lily!” Allen roared furiously. “Lily, get your ass out here. Now, dammit!”
Lily had finished putting the dirty clothes on to wash in the basement and returned to the kitchen where she was taking the dinner rolls out of the oven when she heard Allen yelling. She set the hot rolls on a folded dish towel and pulled off her oven mitts.
“Allen, you owe me fifty cents. You said two bad words. Pay up.” Lily said as she walked into the living room.
Allen planned on saying a lot more than two bad words by the time he got done with her. She was about to find out she was his and he wasn’t going to share her, at least not with Harold and Brad. She belonged to him, dammit.
Before he could say another word the front door opened and Clive, his wife, Helen, Brad, Harold, and Ed walked into the foyer.
“You sons of bitches. Which one of you assholes did Lily?” Allen yelled at Brad and Harold.
Caleb was beyond mad when he realized it hadn’t been his brother who had been making Lily laugh the way she had upstairs. When she had walked into the room he had been stunned. He hadn’t really had time to look her over before as she had been wearing a jacket over her blouse but now he could really see her. She was wearing one of his old plaid shirts which she had tied at the waist leaving her midriff peeking out. The top three buttons were undone. This allowed her ample cleavage to show. He had never realized how sexy one of his old shirts could be until then. She was going to have to rethink if she thought they were going to stand by and let these two assholes have her. Even the thought of them touching her was more than he could handle. She was theirs and they were willing to fight for her.
Brad and Harold looked at each other then at Lily who was watching Allen with horror. Clive’s wife, Helen, gasped and leaned into Clive.
“I’m going to fucking kick your asses. I told you she was off limits but you two mother fuckers couldn’t keep your pants up. Which one of you fucked her in my room?” Allen demanded clenching his fists and taking a step toward them. All the days of watching them watch Lily came to a boil as he thought of them with their hands all over her.
Brad stuttered, “Allen. I, we, didn’t touch her I swear. You told us to leave her alone and we did just like you said. I swear. Harold was over at the March’s place helping Clem fix the roof on his barn and I was working with the new horses in the barn all afternoon until Caleb got back. Caleb, you saw me. I took care of Buck for you, remember?” Harold just stood there dumbly nodding his head up and down.
Ed cleared his throat, “Now Allen. Think about what you’re saying. Do you really think so little of Lily? Do you really think she would have…, you know, with someone in your bedroom?”
Lily just stood there mortified. She had never been accused of something like this in all her years of working with families. She hadn’t said anything at first because she just couldn’t believe what Allen and Caleb were accusing her of but the more she listened the madder she got. Straightening her shoulders she walked over to Allen and Caleb.
“You owe me three dollars and fifty cents. I expect it to be in the nearest cursing jar by morning.” Lily said glaring up at Allen. Turning to Caleb she glared at him too, “You owe me the same amount for even thinking what you did plus an apology.”
Lily turned and looked at Harold and Brad, “I’m sorry you were put in such an awkward situation. It was never my intentions to embarrass either of you. I want you to know I enjoy your friendship and your company and you are welcome here any time you like.”
Lily looked at Helen, Clive and Ed, “I apologize you had to witness the lack of manners of these two men. I’m sure they will be on their best behavior for the remainder of the night because if they aren’t they will be sleeping in the barn tonight. Now, if everyone is ready for dinner I have everything ready in the dining room.”
Lily turned and pointed her finger at Caleb and Allen before she left the room, glaring at them she threatened both men in a stern voice, “If you know what’s good for you, you will be on your best behavior for the rest of the night or I swear I’ll whack you both upside your heads with my broom, you hear me?”
Ed and Clive chuckled under their breath while Helen followed Lily out of the room with a huff. Ed said gruffly, “Boys, if I didn’t know any better I’d think you were on the deep end of the manure pile tonight.”
Caleb and Allen just stood in the living room looking as everyone filed out of the room. “Well, I guess I’d better pay up or I’ll be getting cold oatmeal in the morning.” Allen said quietly pulling out his wallet and placing a five dollar bill in the jar on the table.
“What the hell is a cursing jar and why do I feel like the lowest life form on Earth right now?” Caleb asked puzzled.
“Lily doesn’t tolerate anyone using profanity. Anyone who does has to pay twenty-five cents per word.” Allen said. “The first couple of days I was up and about was bad. I had to borrow money from Clive to pay.”
“What happens if you don’t pay?” Caleb asked curiously.
“You don’t want to know. She comes up with all kinds of tortures. The first time she shut off the hot water heater so I had to take cold showers, then she fed me cold, lumpy oatmeal for breakfast. The worst thing is she won’t talk to you until you pay. And Caleb, she knows if you don’t. I don’t know how but she knows.”
Caleb looked at the jar then back at the dining room where he could hear Lily laughing with Helen about something that was said. “Do you have five dollars I can borrow?” He asked sheepishly.
Chapter 6
The evening went well after the little incident in the living room. Lily hardly looked at Allen and Caleb which drove both men nuts. She asked questions and listened intently as Helen talked about her and Clive’s children and grandchildren. She asked Harold how Clem’s roof repair went and if he was going to have to be helping out any more. She even asked Brad how the horses were doing. After dinner and dessert the two women chased the men out into the living room to talk while they cleaned up the kitchen.
“You know, both those boys feel lower than a pig’s belly right now.” Helen commented as she handed a dish to Lily to put up.
“They’ll be all right. It serves them right thinking such horrible thoughts. Even if I had decided to be with either Harold or Brad or both of them for that matter it is none of their business.” Lily said as she shut the door to the cabinet a little harder than necessary.
Helen smiled, “I don’t think the boys feel that way. From the looks they were giving you during dinner, I’d think they wanted it to be nothing but their business.”
Lily’s face flus
hed as she looked at Helen, “Helen, I don’t want the boys to think of me in that way. I’m just here temporarily.”
Helen looked at Lily surprised, “But, why? You couldn’t ask for any finer young men and if Ethan feels the same way… Well, you know they’ve been looking for one woman to fill their life.”
Lily smiled sadly at Helen, “Yes, but it’s not me. When they have healed enough and no longer need help it will be time for me to leave.”
Helen started to say something but Lily just shook her head not wanting to discuss it further. They finished cleaning the kitchen about the time Clive came in to say it was time to go. After that everyone left. Lily looked at the clock and was surprised at how late it was. Tomorrow would come early and there was always a lot that needed to be done.
“Lily.” Allen said quietly from the doorway.
Lily looked around to see Allen and Caleb standing in the doorway watching her. Flushing a little, she licked her lips before replying, “Yes, Allen.”
Both men felt the impact of her shy tongue licking her lips. Unable to stay so far from her they both moved, each one approaching her from a different side of the table. Lily watched uneasily as both men moved toward her. She found herself trapped between them with no escape. Allen reached her first.
Cupping her face in his hands, he murmured, “I’m sorry about earlier. I shouldn’t have accused you of having sex with Harold and Brad.”
Lily licked her suddenly dry lips again, “No, you shouldn’t have.” She whispered turning to face him.
She felt the warmth from Caleb’s body behind her, pressing her closer to Allen. Caleb slid his arms around her waist holding her hips against the front bulge in his pants.
“I’m sorry, Lily. I should never have accused you of having sex in my brother’s room.” Caleb said softly in her ear, before adding, “At least with someone else.”
Lily shivered as Caleb’s warm breath fanned her neck. She arched her neck to the side desperate to get away from the feelings washing over her. She was there for a reason, she reminded herself. She was there to help them, not be seduced by them. Not to fall in love with them. She had no room for falling in love. She had no future with them. It would only bring heartache.
Lily gasped when she felt Caleb’s lips on her neck. Arching backwards she unknowingly thrust her hips and breasts into Allen. Lily’s eyes swung around and locked onto Allen’s. She couldn’t look away. Allen groaned. He had dreamed of kissing Lily every night for over a week. Every day he thought about how she would taste. He had to know. Crushing her between his body and his brother’s he captured her lips drinking her in like a drowning man gasping for a breath.
“What the hell is going on?” A voice demanded from the doorway.
Lily broke away from Allen and groaned. “You owe me twenty-five cents. Place the money in any of the cursing jars in the house.” She said huskily unable to break her heavy gaze from looking at Allen’s lips.
Allen rested his forehead on Lily’s while Caleb chuckled softly. “Bad timing, bro, but welcome home.”
Lily looked over to see the huge figure of Ethan Cunnings standing in the doorway. Smiling at him, Lily asked softly, “Are you hungry? I can warm you up some roasted chicken and vegetables. Or, I have some pie left.”
Ethan stood there for a moment and just watched as his brothers reluctantly let the petite female standing between them go. When he had first walked in he had thought it strange how quiet the house was. When he had left it had been filled with the sounds of crashing bottles and curses. He had come home a few days earlier than he had planned determined to get his family back on track. He definitely hadn’t been expecting to find his two brothers enjoying a feast. He had never been so turned on in his life as when he had watched his brothers kissing the girl, at least not until she had looked at him with desire laden eyes and asked him if he was hungry. Oh hell yeah he was hungry. She had the most incredible eyes. He just knew he could drown in them. He looked at her swollen lips and his mind seemed to short-circuit. He wanted to feel her lips wrapped around him.
“I stopped on the way home.” Ethan replied huskily. He only had an appetite for one thing right now and she was standing there looking at him.
“Oh, well. In that case, I’ll say goodnight to everyone.” Lily said with a forced smile. “Goodnight, Ethan. Goodnight, Allen. Goodnight, Caleb. See you in the morning.”
All three men stared in disbelief as Lily slipped around Caleb and closed the door to her bedroom. Running his hands through his hair, Caleb turned, leaned over and groaned. “I don’t fucking believe your timing, Ethan.”
“Caleb?” A soft voice called out from behind the door.
“Yes, Lily?” Caleb groaned.
“You owe me another twenty-five cents. I heard that.”
Allen started chuckling softly at first, than it grew louder until it was a full-blown belly laugh. He was laughing so hard he couldn’t catch his breath. Soon, Caleb had joined him and then Ethan.
“I don’t know what the hell we are laughing about but it sure sounds good to hear you two.” Ethan said.
“Ethan.”
“I know, I know. I owe you twenty-five cents.” Ethan called out. “Let’s go into the living room so we don’t disturb her.”
“It won’t matter.” Allen warned. “If you cuss, she’ll know so be careful what you say. She made Brad pay up before he left here tonight for what he said to Caleb when he got home. I know she wasn’t anywhere near them to hear.”
Ethan walked into the living room. It was the same but it seemed different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on the change but it just felt warmer, more like a home. Turning to look at his brothers he was floored by the changes he saw in Allen. It had only been a little over a week since he had seen him but it was like looking at a totally different person.
“Okay, which one of you are going to tell me who the hel… heck that was in the kitchen?” Ethan asked placing his hands on his hips.
Caleb glared at Ethan and Allen before shrugging his shoulders, “I just met her late this afternoon. All I know is her name is Lily and I’m staking my claim on her right now.”
Allen’s breath hissed out sharply, “Like hel…heck you are! She’s mine.”
Ethan glared at both of them before asking again, “Okay. First, tell me who the hell she is?” He didn’t care if he had to pay another twenty-five cents he wanted to know who the hell she was because he was going to stake his own God-damn claim.
Allen ran his hands through his hair again before waving his brothers towards the chairs. He sat heavily on the couch and stared at the fire a moment before answering, “Her name is Lily and she is the new housekeeper Maggie hired. She started a little over a week ago. The first time I met her she literally knocked me on my ass.” Allen grimaced and ran a hand down his face and looked at his two older brothers, “I just know since she came into my life I look forward to getting up in the morning and I haven’t needed a drink or had a nightmare. Hell, just thinking about her gives me a damn hard on.”
Both Caleb and Ethan absorbed the impact of what Allen was saying. Caleb looked at Ethan, “I just met her this afternoon but what I felt when I just heard her was almost enough to floor me.” He looked at Allen, “When I thought the two of you were getting it on in your bedroom upstairs it took everything I had in me not to join you. Probably the only thing stopping me was I needed a shave and shower. Later, when she ran into me and I held her in my arms I knew I wasn’t going to let her go.”
Caleb stood up and paced back and forth in front of the fireplace before turning and shoving his hands in his front pockets, “I want her and I don’t plan on giving her up.”
Ethan listened to both his brothers before replying, “I guess that makes three.” He responded quietly. “I don’t why but I know she was meant for me.” Looking at his brothers again, he corrected himself, “For us. It looks like we finally found the woman we’ve been wishing for. Now all we have to do is convince her.�
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“This is the first time she’s let me really touch her. We usually spend every evening in the den either talking or I like to listen to her read to me.” Allen said with a slight tinge of red seeping up his neck.
Caleb looked startled, “What was she doing in your bedroom upstairs then? I thought for sure you and her were an item.”
“I don’t know. I’ve still been staying in the downstairs guest room.”
“Well, maybe we’d better go check to see. I’d personally like to get her up in the master bedroom myself. Do any of you know her plans? Where’s she from? Does she have any family?” Ethan asked as he moved toward the front staircase.
Allen shook his head. “No. It’s strange. When we are together she is always asking questions about us. I never seemed to get a chance to ask her about herself.”
“Well, that’s about to change.” Ethan replied looking at both his brothers. “I want to know everything about her. If she turns out to be some little gold-digger looking for a big haul we’ll deal with it but I want to know.”